The BAFTA award-winning producer of the Graham Norton franchise of programmes has been named as the next executive chair of the Edinburgh International Television Festival.

Graham Stuart, who co-founded So Television with Graham Norton in September 2000, will take over from Chris Shaw after this year's festival. Shaw, editorial director at ITN Productions, is stepping down after three years in the post.

As the managing director of So Television, Stuart is executive producer of the Graham Norton franchise in the UK and the US. He won the Best Entertainment Programme BAFTA for So Graham Norton in 2001, the same award again for The Graham Norton Show in 2013, and the BAFTA for Best Comedy Entertainment Programme for The Graham Norton Show in 2015.

Stuart also develops new projects for So Television, which is now part of ITV Studios.

The Bafta-winning Graham Norton show, produced by Graham Stuart

Outgoing executive chair Shaw said his successor will be a “brilliant champion” for the TV festival, which also runs a charitable arm aimed at opening up access to the television industry to people from all backgrounds.

“Graham is not only a hugely successful and respected entertainment producer, he's also a very popular individual with a deep knowledge and affection for the industry,” Shaw added.

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Stuart added: “The Edinburgh International Television Festival has always played a major part in my career and the chance to shape it for a rapidly changing future is hugely exciting for me. I look forward to calling on the support of everyone in the industry to help Edinburgh continue as the best three days in the television year.”

As a festival and a charity, the Edinburgh International Television Festival is committed to helping young people from all backgrounds gain access to the TV industry. It runs two young talent schemes – Ones to Watch and The Network – both of which aim to ensure that the people working in television are as diverse as the audience watching it.